Arsenal’s Premier League meeting with Everton has been rescheduled, as confirmed by the club. The change was made to ease fixture congestion during the busy December period.
The Gunners were originally due to visit Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, 21 December.
However, the club’s upcoming Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace on Tuesday, 23 December, created a scheduling conflict.
Playing two matches within 48 hours would have left players with little time to recover properly between games.
In light of this, Arsenal requested that the Premier League reschedule the fixture for a day earlier. Their request has now been granted, and the match will take place on Saturday, 20 December instead.
The new date gives the team more time to rest and prepare for their cup tie at Selhurst Park.
FIFA guidelines on player recovery influenced the decision
The decision to alter the schedule follows FIFA’s recommendations, which state that players should have a minimum of 72 hours’ rest between matches.
These guidelines were introduced to protect player welfare and ensure consistent performance levels throughout the season.
According to experts, recovery time is vital during busy months like December, when several matches are often played in quick succession.
A lack of adequate rest increases the risk of injuries and fatigue, which can affect both form and fitness.
Arsenal’s management wanted to avoid such risks by ensuring players have enough time to recover before facing Crystal Palace.
The club also confirmed that playing the quarter-final on Christmas Eve had been considered at one point. However, that option was ruled out due to the proximity to Christmas Day.
The late scheduling would have created difficulties for travelling supporters and matchday staff, especially with public transport and holiday commitments.
Arsenal expressed their gratitude to the Premier League and Everton for their cooperation in accommodating the change.
The club added that the adjustment allows them to maintain their focus on both domestic competitions while ensuring player wellbeing during the most demanding part of the campaign.
With the new arrangement in place, Arsenal will now travel to Merseyside on Saturday, 20 December before turning their attention to the Carabao Cup quarter-final three days later.
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